PHNOM PENH —
Five political parties have registered to take part in provincial and district elections in May, officials said Tuesday.

The elections are approaching despite a deadlock in national politics between the ruling party and the opposition—which wants election reform and a recall national vote.

Only members of local commune councils, which are selected in separate elections, are allowed to vote in the district elections, making the May polls a generally administrative exercise.

The National Election Committee said Tuesday that both the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party had registered in nearly all the cities and districts. The Rescue Party did not register in the municipality of Kep. Both registered in 197 districts.

The royalist Funcinpec party registered in just two provinces—Battambang and Kampong Cham—and a total of 27 districts.

Two other parties registering were the League for Democracy and the Republic Democratic.

NEC Secretary-General Tep Nitha said Tuesay the provincial election committees have five days to consider documentation from the parties and to send back errors for correction.